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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet P. B. DELANY.

- SYNGHRONOUS TBLBGRAPHY. No. 440,767.

Patented Nov. 18, 1890'.

J a :0 3 r 1 wll f in (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

P. B. DELANY. SYNOHRONOUS TBLEGRAPHY.

No. 440,767. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. B. DELANY. SYNOHRONOUS TELEGRAPHY.

No. 440,767. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

feta Idaho PATRICK B. DELANY,

OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

SYNCHRONOUS TELEGRAPHY.

SPECIFICATION forining part of Letters Patent No. 440,767, datedNovember 18, 1890.

Application filed July 30, 1886.

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PATRICK B. DELANY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Multiple Telegraphy, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In various Letters Patent of the United States heretofore granted to meI have shown systems of synchronous telegraphy based upon the idea ofsplitting up or subdividing a main line into a number of independentcircuits by means of synchronouslymoving circuit-completers traversingover a circle of insulated segments at each end of the main line in suchmanner that all the sub-circuits can be simultaneously operated ineither direction. In working such synchronous sys tems it has beenconsidered necessary that the traveling circuit-completers rest at thesame time upon corresponding segments-in other words, that thecircuit-completers must at the same time rest on segments connected inthe same sub-circuit and the line must be such that a current sent intoit at one end can reach and manifest itself at the other end during thetime the circuit-completers remain in contact with said segments. Suchan operation is suitable for short lines, and has the advantage that thepairs of operators on any sub-circuit can communicate in eitherdirection at all times; but the system cannot be practically operatedunder the conditions above recited where the line is of such length orwhere, by reason of cables, underground wires, or other causes ofincreased resistance of the main line, the time or retardation of theline is such that with segments of reasonable practicable size, such asI have hereto- Serial No. 209,557. (No model.)

instance, in a pending application filed by me I have shown anorganization for the purpose in which the feature of reciprocalcommunication over each sub-circuit is retained. In operating thesynchronous systems to which I refer it has therefore always been anecessary condition that the circuitcompleters rest simultaneously uponcontacts with which the terminal instruments of a given sub-line areconnected. The rotating circuitcompleters must therefore be synchronousas regards their contact with the segments with which any givensub-circuit is connected, though they need not necessarily besynchronous as regards actual correspondence of position relatively tothe points of the compass on the circles of segments.

M y present invention is in part based upon the idea of transmittingimpulses or messages over the line and sub-circuits in one directiononly and of receiving the impulses in their proper successive order uponsegments which allow for the time of the line irrespective of theposition or synchronism of the circuitcompleters. cuit-completers runisochronously or make given revolutions in the same period of time, itis immaterial whether the circuit-colnpleters are synchronous in eitherthe sense of always occupying exactly corresponding 'positions withreference to the circle of segments or synchronous in the sense ofresting at the same moment upon segments connected in the samesub-circuit. For instance, in my present method of working hereindescribed,

In other words, provided the cirif the circuit-completers are runsynchronously in either of the senses above mentioned, the operationwould be as follows: If both circuit-completers rested at the samemoment upon segments, each numbered 1 and occupying exactlycorresponding positions, a trans mitted impulse sent into the line wouldnot be received upon the other segment No. 1, but

would be caught upon that segment which was properly located accordingto the time of the line. Thus if the time of the line was gards'correspondence of posit-ionthat is, if, for instance, at thetransmitting end the circuit-completer rests on No. 1 segment at themoment the receiving circuit-completer rests on No. 4 segmentthetransmitted impulse would in like manner be received upon that segmentlocated beyond No. 4 in such position according to the time of the lineas to properly catch the impulse. From what has already been said itwill doubtless have been perceived that an impulse sent into the linethrough a segment having a given number may be received upon the segmenthaving a like number, one circuit-completer being run ahead of theother. To restate the matter briefly, the transmitting-operators may allbe 7 working and a succession of impulses be sent into the line at oneend as the circuit-completer traverses the segments, and at thereceiving end of the line such successive impulses will inexact andproper rotation be received upon segments located so as to allow for thetime of the particular line and irrespective of the numbers they hear.

The invention also contemplates certain improvements in the constructionand operation of apparatus more particularly adapted to the practice ofthe method of operation above recited than the apparatus now in use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View in elevation of animproved arrangement of the motor and distributer or rotatingcircuit-completer. Fig. 2 is a diagram view illustrating circles ofsegments which may be used in connection with such apparatus, and alsoillustrating improved arrangements for maintaining the proper movementof the circuit-completers at both ends of the main line. Figs. 3 and 4:are diagram views illustrating portions of circles of segments atconnected stations, and Fig. 5 is a similar view.

For convenience of description I will first describe the apparatus shownin Figs. 1 and 2.

A is the rotating toothed armature-wheel, and B the motor-magnet, whichmay be energized by a suitable arrangement of electric circuits,contacts, and vibrator, such as shown in my various patents. On thespindle of the armaturewheel is arranged a toothed wheel 0, which gearswith a pinion O on a counter-spindle D, arranged centrally within thecircle of segments E and carrying a trailing finger or circuit-complete!cl. 1f the pinion C has one-twelfth the number of teeth that the toothedwheel 0 has, it will be rotated twelve times during one revolution ofthe wheel 0, and the segments in the circle may be reduced toone-twelfth the number that would otherwise be desirable. Of coursethese relative proportions are mentioned merely by Way of example, andany suitable and desirable relation of the parts may be adopted.

In my prior patents the armature-disk A is described as being rotatedabout three times per second. If in the arrangement described the diskshould be driven at the same rate,

the circuit-completer would be rotated about thirty-six times persecond.

I do not wish to limit myself to the special mechanism shown and abovedescribed, as the principle of operation is obviously not in any waydependent upon particular details of construction.

In my Patent No. 286,278 I have shown and described each operator ashaving twelve segments taken at equal intervals in the circle ofsegments. With thepresent arrangement it will be obvious that eachoperator would only require one segment in order to get the same numberof connections with the main line.

The message-segments are numbered from 1 to 12, and, as viewed in thedrawings, those numbered alike occupy corresponding positions in the twocircles. The intermediate segments z are used for separating themessage-segments, and also when desired for grounding the line.independent of each other and of the other segments. and mayindividually be connected in any desired way to ground or otherwise.

By giving an increased speed of rotation to the circuit-completer andreducing the number of insulating -.segments, as above described,various ad vantages result as, for instance, the grouping of a number ofsegments into one circuit is unnecessary; the segments may be madelarger than heretofore; the segments being reduced in number theinstruments can be made more cheaply; bad effects from inequalities inthe circle of segments are avoided; there is no unevenness in thecontinuity or regularity of the impulses on each circuit, as is somewhatthe case with the old plan on account of the arrangement of thecorrecting-segments; the circle of segments may be made smaller, thusreducing friction to a minimum. and the apparatus is specially adaptedfor working according to myimproved method above referred to.

One arrangement for effecting the synchronous correction of thisapparatus is illustrated in diagram in Fig. 2, which shows thecorrection sending and receiving segments and their connections wit-l1the battery and correcting devices and the way in which the latter acton the vibrator or reed.

It has been deemed unnecessary to illustrate the manner in which thevibrator controls the motor-circuit, as that may be done in exactly thesame way described in a large number of patents heretofore granted tome.

The correcting-impulses are all sent from one end of the line from XtoY, as illustrated in the figure, and may be either accelerating orretarding impulses, according to the position of the circuit-completerat the receiving-station. One correcting-impulse for each revolution ofthe circuit-completers will be ample, as the speed of rotation iscomparatively high. At station X three large segments similar to themessage-segments are shown as devoted to the correction of the speed ofthe apparatus. The correcting-bat- They are separate and tery C B isshown as connected with the first one of these segments, and the othertwo may be grounded. More than three segments could be used, if desired,or only two might be used, and the segments might be reduced in size orconnected differently, according to the requirements of any specialcircuit. At station Y the space corresponding to that occupied by thethree correcting-segments at station X is occupied by a number ofsmaller segmentssay seven(marked a b c d e f g,) which may be the samesize and preferably have segments 2 2 arranged at each side of thegroup.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 provision is made for thetime or retardation of th line, and the correction-receiving segmentsare displaced relatively to the battery-connected correction-sendingsegment at station X. The middle one d of the smaller segments is shownas grounded. Such segment is displaced according to the amount ofretardation of the linethat is, if the circuit-completers are running inthe same relation to the corresponding segments the current sent in atthe battery-segment at station X will be delivered into the segment (1at station Y. If the circuit-completer at Y,how-

ever, is tardy and rests upon the segment a at the moment the currentmanifests itself, a correcting-impulse of acceleration will be impartedto the apparatus at station Y in a manner presently described, and ifthe circuit-completer rests upon the segmept g a correcting-impulse ofretardation will be given the apparatus at Y, as presently described.The segments 2 and z are preferably normally grounded, so as to keep theline free from any current as the circuitcompleter comes upon thecorrecting-segments and as the circuit-completer leaves such contacts tocome upon the first message-segment. The other smaller segments may alsobe grounded, as shown, if desired, to discharge the correcting-batterycurrent from the line when the apparatus is running properly, and othersegments than those mentioned may be connected for correction, accordingto the retardation of the line. The vibrator V, in this instance a reedbeing shown, is actuated by its local circuit and battery B, as is wellunderstood. A resistance R is included in the local circuit and isnormally shunted out of the circuit through the wire 4" and armature Rof a magnet R which isincluded in anormallyclosed local circuit 8, whichruns through the armature S of a magnet S, through the coil of which anaccelerating-contact a is connected to earth.

As explained in my prior patents,a decrease of the electro-magneticpower of the vibratorcircuit will cause an acceleration of the vibrator.If, therefore, the circuit-completer at Y should be tardy and thetransmitted correcting-impulse should manifest itself upon the segmenta, the magnet S would be energized, its armature attracted, the local 3broken, and the shunt 1' opened by the armature R leaving its frontstop. This would throw the resistance B into the vibrator-circuit andcause a momentary acceleration of the vibrator.

The retarding-contact g is connected through the coil of a magnet O toearth. The armature of this magnet normally rests against its back stop,thus closing a local circuit 0, in which the coil of a magnet P isincluded. The normal attraction of the armature of the magnet P againstits front stop closes a shunt P around a battery P in a local circuit Q,which includes the coils of a double magnet Q, the poles of which arearranged on opposite sides of the end of the reed and are provided withadjustable screw pole-pieces, as fully described in my prior patents.If, therefore, the circuit-completer rests upon the retarding-contact gwhen the correcting-impulse transmitted from X manifests itself, thearmature of the magnet 0 will be attracted, the local 0' opened, and theshunt P broken, thus causing the local battery P to become effective inthe coils of the magnet Q, creating a magnetic field around the end ofthe reed and producinga retardation of its vibration, as described in myprior patents.

Other methods than those illustrated of controlling the vibrator atstation Y may of course be used.

Having now described one form of my improved apparatus for carrying outmy method, one way of arranging the correcting-contacts, and one way ofmaking the corrections, either for acceleration or retardation,efiective, I will now refer again particularly to the correction of theapparatus and then to the method of transmitting messages.

Fromwhat has been said it will have been perceived that it is entirelyimmaterial what point in the circle is selected for the location of thecorrecting-segments. In other words, as it is entirely immaterialwhether the circuit-completers run synchronously as regards actualposition or synchronously as regards resting upon exactly correspondingsegments at the same time, the correction-receiving segments may beselected at any point in the circle. When both circuit completers arerunning properly, the current sent in from the correcting-battery O B atthe distant station will be delivered into the ground located betweenthe accelerating and retarding segments. If the receivingcircuit-completer is running out of time, then when the transmittedcorrecting-impulse has reached the circuit-completer and thecircuit-completer touches the accelerating or retarding-contact thespeed of the receiving apparatus will be increased or diminished.

In Fig. 3 I have shown two connected stations with a portion of a circleof segments at each station. In these circles the segments are the samesize, whether they be for correction or messages, while the interposedground-segments z are somewhat smaller. I

might, however, make all the segments the same size and connect them foruse in any manner desired.

Referring to Fig. 3, if I select segment marked at station X forconnection to the correcting-battery O B, I may select at the otherstation Y any segments desired. For instance, I may select Nos. 2 and 4for connection to the accelerating and retarding apparatus, asindicated. In that event I would ground at the receiving-station segmentNo. 3, and also, preferably, the separating or ground segment on eachside of it. This would give a ground-contact between the acceleratingand retarding segments of considerably greater area than that of thesegment 0 from which the correcting-impulse was sent into the line. Asimilar arrangement is exhibited in Fig. 2. This is a desirable feature,because the current will discharge at Y more slowly thanit comes in atX, and by providing this enlarged area of ground-contact the line willbe properly discharged between the correcting-segments 2 4 and notafiect the retarding, apparatus when the circuit-completer runs uponsegment 4. I might connect a segment on the outside of the acceleratingor retarding segment to the accelerating or retarding devices to catchall the correcting-current, if desired, thus providing an area ofcontact for the delivery of a correcting-impulse to the correctingdevices larger than the segment from which the impulse was sent into theline, or I might connect the correcting-battery with two segments andthe retarding or accelerating devices each with three segments, as shownin Fig. 4. In this figure the segments are all the same size. They maybe connected as desired. At station X, Fig. 3, I might, as shown, groundthe separating or ground segment and the adjoining main segment on eachside of the segment 0 with which the correcting-battery C B isconnected. This, however, is not necessary, and under some conditions byleaving these segments open a more marked effect will be produced at Yby the transmitted impulse.

Now, in regard to the transmission of messages, such transmissionshould, in order to utilize the full'capacity of the line, be in thesame direction that the correcting-impulses are sent over the line; inother words, transmission should be from X to Y, as shown in thedrawings. Operators sending instruments S may, therefore, be connectedwith each of the message-segments at X, and receivinginstruments R maybeconnected with each of the receiving message-segments at Y. If the timeof the line is equal to the space between two message-segments, then amessage sent on segment 6, for instance, would be received at Y onsegment 7. If the time of the line is equal to two message-segments,then it would be received on segment 8. It will therefore be readilyperceived that if all the operators connected with the message-segmentsat X should transmit simultaneously the transmitted impulses would besuccessively sent into the line, and the receiving-segments at Y beingproperly selected according to the time of the line suchmessage-impulses would in proper and accurate succession be deliveredthrough the proper segments to the receivers, and this irrespective ofthe position of the circuit-completers, provided they make a revolutionin the same period of time.

As above remarked, the correcting segments or message-segments may allbe made the same size and connected as desired. For instance, very smallsegments insulated from each other, but arranged closely together, couldbe used and two or more such segments connected together so aspractically electrically to form a single segment either for correctionor transmission of messages. In Fig. 4 I have shown the message-segmentsall the same size, and in both Figs. 3 and 4 have illustrated the use ofseveral segments connected together so as to electrically constitute onesegment; but obviously, so far as this part of my invention isconcerned, the condition and operation will be precisely the same if thesegments were made very much smaller, and a suitable number connectedtogether to give the required area of contact.

I have above spoken of receivinga correcting-impulse upon a greater areaof contact than the segment from which the impulse was sent into theline-in other words, of providing for the spread or slower discharge ofthe received current. The same principle might be adopted with referenceto the mesage-segments, and each receiving-operator might have tworeceiving-segments and the current only be sent into the line at theother end on one segment. In that event the idle segment at thetransmitting-station could be either grounded or left in the air, asdesired. Such an arrangement is seen in Fig. 4, where S at X indicates akey and battery connected to one contact, the adjoining contact beinggrounded. At Y the corresponding receiver R is connected with bothcontacts.

In an apparatus like that illustrated in Fig. 3 it might be considereddesirable, and probably would be under some circumstances, to have thecorrecting-segments smaller than theothers-sayon e-half the size-so theycould be connected independently in any manner desired, as suggested inconnection with the description of Fig. 2 or otherwise. Instead ofcontrolling the circuit-completers by corrections of acceleration andretardation, the receiving apparatus might be run faster or slower thanthe other apparatus and be controlled by corrections of oppositetendency.

In the figures thus far described the trailers are shown as runningtogetherz'. a, in the same relation to the correspondingly marked ornumbered segments. An objection to working according to this plan isthat one or more of the message-segments to the left of thecorrecting-segments (as viewed in the drawings) must be idle, because ifa mesend of the line, and thus prevent the proper running of theapparatus.

At the beginning of this specification it is stated that one circuit-completer may be run ahead of the other.

, Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 5, and

l with cl.

has certain advantages over those above described. In that figure thesegments are shown as of same size. They may of course be made of anydesired size and connected to accomplish the desired results, as fullystated above in connection with the other figures. As before, twostations X and Y are shown. The correcting segments at both stations aremarked a b c d e f. At the correction-sending station X a segment 0 isconnected with :the correcting-battery, the segments a b on the left andd e on the right being grounded.

At station Ysegment c is grounded, I) connected with accelerationdevices, d with retardation devices, and a and e are grounded. Segmentfmay beleft in the air or grounded; or, if it is desired to have twosegments connected to the correcting-battery and two to thecorresponding ground at Y, the segment f may be utilized. As shown, thetrailer at X is running ahead of that at Y, the difference between themdepending on the time of the line. Thus, assuming the time of the lineto be three segments, while the trailer at X is on correcting-batterysegment 0 trailer at Y is on the segment ahead of a; but by the time thelatter trailer reaches 0 the current from the correctingbattery hasarrived and is discharged into the ground. The relative positions areclearly shown by the full and dotted lines. If trailer at Y is tardy,the current from O B will be delivered into the accelerating devicesconnected with b, and if too fast into the retarding devices connectedOf course the message-currents are transmitted in the same way-that isto say, an impulse sent into theline atX through any message-segmentwould arrive at Y by the time the trailer there had reached thecorresponding segment and would be delivered through said segment to thereceiving-instrument corresponding with the transmitter from which theimpulse was sent. \Vith this plan there is no idle space in the circles,because the received current, either for messages or correction, isdelivered into segments corresponding with those from which the currentis sent out. It will also be noted that the trailers automaticallyadjust themselves to the time of the line, for when they are started torotating the trailer at Y will be accelerated or retarded until it findsits true relation to the trailer at X and delivers the current from GEinto the ground through segment 0. Changes in the condition of thecircuit afiect-ing its time, arising from atmospheric or other causes,are automatically compensated, because if a change tending to reduce thetime of the line occurs the current from C B will reach the trailer at Ywhile it is still upon segment I), and the trailer will be acceleratedand the distance between the two trailers correspondinglyreduced. Acorresponding retarding effect is produced by the retarding devices itthe time of the line should increase. The instruments, therefore, areadapted to any lines, and no special adoption or change is required towork them on any circuit.

In starting the apparatus both trailers are caused to rotate at what isapproximately the same speed, and, if necessary, the speed of trailer atY may be slightly adjusted until the correctingimpulses are deliveredinto the ground 0.

The advantages of my improved method of working besides those abovementioned are thata great number of circuits maybe worked over any givenline, and the received impulses will be strong and effective, becauseall the current arriving at the receiving-station is delivered into thereceiving-segment and not partly into adjoining ground-segments, as isthe case when operating in both directions under my patented system.

Obviously the apparatus hereinbefore described may on sufficiently shortlines be operated according to the plans set forth in my patents alreadygranted.

The special apparatus above described is not essential to the practiceof my improved method of working, thoughl deem it specially Well adaptedfor the purpose. The apparatus shown in my prior patents might withlittle, if any, change be worked according to my present plan, thoughthere would be certain objections to it.

Two main lines could be used advantageously-one for sending, the otherfor receiving-and the operators instruments arranged in relation to eachother similar to the common disposition of quadruplex lines, so that theoperator receiving on No. 1 circuitof one wire may break the operator onNo. 1 circuit of the other wire. This is a common arrangement inquadruplex telegraphy and needs no illustration.

No claim is made herein to the broad idea of sending an impulse from onesegment and receiving it on another so displaced relatively to thesending segment as to allow for the time or retardation of the line, assuch subject-matter is claimed in another pending application filed byme.

No claim is made herein to themethod of operation, as that is claimed ina divisional application filed by me.

I claim- 1. The combination of the several segments for correction,messages, and grounding, said segments being arranged in a circleindependently insulated and provided with independ ent binding posts orcontacts, so that they may be independently connected, as desired.

2. The combination of the insulated mes-- sage-segments, the insulatedcorrection-segments, and theindependently-insulated interposedground-segments having each an independent binding-post, whereby theyare capable of being connected independently to ground or otherwise, asdesired.

3. The combination of the electricallydriven disk, its spindle, thecounter-spindle, gearing interposed between the spindles, the trailer,and the circle of segments.

4. The combination of the primary driven spindle, a second spindle,interposed mechanism by which the latter spindle is driven at anincreased speed, the trailer carried by the latter spindle, and thecircle of segments.

5. The combination of the line, circles of segments, rapidly-rotatingtrailers traversing them and connected with the line, the speed ofrotation of said trailers being so related to the segments that eachoperator need be connected with but one segment in each circle formultiplex Morse transmission, correctionsending segments located at onepoint only in one circle of segments, and correction-receiving segmentslocated at one point only in the other circle of segments.

6. The combination of a main line, a circle of insulated segments,electrically driven traversing circuit-completer and itscontrolling-vibrator or circuit-interrupter at each end of the line, acorrecting-battery connected with a segment at one end of the line, atthe other end of the line a segment connected with circuit-completeraccelerating devices, and also a segment connected with circuitcompleterretarding devices, and a groundconnected contact arranged between saidaccelerating and retarding segments, said ground-contact having an areanot less than the area of the segment or contact through which thecorrecting-current is sent into the line at the distant station.

7. The combination of a main line, a circle of insulated segments,electrically driven traversing circuit-completer and itscontrolling-vibrator or circuit-interrupter at each end of the line, acorrecting-battery connected with a segment at one end of the line,

at the other end of the line a segment con nected with circuit-completeraccelerating devices, and also a segment connected with of contact notless than the segment through which the correcting-impulse is sent intothe line at the distant station, and a ground-connected contact arrangedbetween said accelerating and retarding segments.

8. The combination of a main line, a circle of segments, electricallydriven traversing circuit-completcr and its controlling-vibrator orcircuit-interrupter at each end of the line, acorrecting-batteryconnected with a segment at one end of the line, and at the opposite endof the line correcting-segments located in a group at one point only inthe circle, one of said segments corresponding with the distantbattery-connected segment being connected to ground, another of saidsegments on one side of said grounded segment connected to acceleratingdevices, and another of said segments on. the other side connected toretarding devices, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a main line, a circle of segments, electricallydriven traversing circuit-completer and its controlling-vibrator orcircuit-interrupter at each end of the line, a group ofcorrecting-segments in one of the circles of segments, acorrecting-battery connected with the middle segment of said group,connections between the other segments of said group and the earth, acorresponding group of correcting-segments in the other circle, aconnection between the ground and the middle segment of the lattergroup, vibratoraccelerating devices connected with the segment orsegments on one side of the middle grounded segment, andvibrator-retarding devices connected With the segment or segments on theother side of said middle segment.

10. The combination of the circles of contacts and trailers at each endof the line, a battery and transmitting devices connected with a contactin one circle for sending impulses over the line, and correspondingreceiving devices at the distant end of the line having a relativelygreater contact areain the circle for the reception of said impulses,for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

PATRICK B. DELANY.

Witnesses:

GEORGE A. Scorr, B. R01.

